WORLD VIEWS

What is a world view?

A world view is an assumed model of the world which guides our thoughts and actions.  

Different world views give rise to differences between peoples and cultures.  Therefore, it is important to know them to fully appreciate the essence of diversity in our increasingly pluralistic societies.

Eight Basic World Views:

1.  Spiritism and Polytheism

Thousands of ancient religions are of the world view that the world  is populated by rampant spirit beings responsible for all "natural" events and associated with real material things. The gods created all the creatures on earth, including Man. Truth about the natural world is elucidated by the divine visions of shamans. Taboos are things that irritate or anger various spirits and are the surrogate moral values. It is important to avoid irritating the spirits and gods as they have the power to protect or punish any tribe or race associated with them. 

2.  Christian Theism

This is the belief that there is an omnipotent personal God who created the universe and Man in His image. Given free will, Man chose to sin against God resulting in eternal separation from Him at death unless Man accepts salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Reality is both material and spiritual. The universe had a beginning and will have an end. Knowledge about the material world is gained not only through our sensory perceptions and rational thought, but also through divine revelation.  God is the source of our moral values.

3. Deism

Popular during the eighteenth century, this world view believes in God, but supposes that God created and then abandoned the universe. This is now an uncommon world view.

4. Naturalism

This world view started in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Preaching the irrelevance of God, this is the world view of science being the basis of knowledge and morality, bringing progress and inevitable evolutionary change. The material universe is all that exists and all phenomenon can be explained on the basis of natural law.  Man is autonomous and will fulfill his potential through education and free application of his intelligence. Truth is derived from observations with our five senses. Values or morals are subjective and are merely the reflection of our individual preferences or socially useful behaviors.

5. Existentialism

The existentialist sees the absurdity of life, yet sees absolute freedom to best make meaning for himself through free choice and personal responsibility in the face of this absurdity.

6.  Nihilism

This extremely skeptical and pessimistic world view, popular among the young and the intellectual, sees only the absurdity of life and denies all real existence or any objective truth.  So, nothing can be known or communicated. A true nihilist believes in nothing, has no loyalties nor purpose in life; and therefore is susceptible to destructive impulses.

7. Postmodernism

In this view, reality is socially constructed, and therefore can only be interpreted in particular linguistic and cultural paradigms.  Autonomy and freedom are myths.  Truths and values are therefore only relative to one’s own culture. Belief in tolerance, freedom of expression, inclusion, and uncertainty are common features.

8. Pantheism/Eastern Mysticism/New Age Movements

Beginning in the 1950s, this world view denies the distinctions between humans, animals, or the rest of creation. Only an eternal, impersonal, and unknowable spiritual reality exists. Therefore, all is one and all is god. There are indefinite cycles of birth, death, and reincarnation that are affected by 'karma'.  Morality is not seen in black and white or as good and evil but as grey and uncertain. Man needs to change his consciousness to experience the truth of oneness with the universe which cannot be rationally described.


So, how does one choose one's worldview?

Perhaps, this flow-chart created by FEVA Ministries may help.



Or, does it?  It looks too complicated.

Perhaps a better way would be to decide how you are making that choice in the first place.  Basically, there are four ways of deciding:

1. Through the tenacity of holding on to your original view come what may.

2. Through deference to authority.

3. Through dependence on intuitive feelings.

4. Through a diligent and disciplined application of the scientific method.

The choice is yours, really!